[C320-list] Genoa "Radial" Design question

[Graeme Clark]

Scott

Sails are like anchors - everyone has a reason why the design they have opted for is better than all the others!

But for what its worth I ended up with this bi-radial design

http://www.crusadersails.com/images/stills_foresails__2_.jpg

I don't race either, but we do get some good ‘blows’ as well as some very light winds, here in the UK so I spend quite a lot of time reefed. I cant afford multiple headsails so it was a question of finding a compromise that would fit as many circumstances as possible.

Following  long talks with different sailmakers I opted for this design because:-

It retains its shape well when part  furled (with a foam luff strip too of course)
Its a good balance of performance versus price as there aren't too many seams to sew and not too much material is wasted.
Dacron gives long mechanical life (wont ‘blow out”) but does tend to loose shape (stretch). Allegedly this design works better with the weave of the fabric to reduce the effects of stretch but keeps the mechanical strength.

But talk to 6 sailmakers and you’ll get seven different opinions

Graeme
#366, 1006 “Jaskar” Falmouth, UK


> On 22 Sep 2019, at 12:45, Scott Westwood <scottwestwood at bellsouth.net> wrote:
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> Not that I am that picky (Don't race) but any comments on Radial Design Genoas out there?  Just looking for any major reliability issues/concerns.  We don't race and do mostly coastal Cruising with some Bahama cruising.I have a line on a Genoa that is a Radial design similar to this design.  Try this link:http://www.somersetsails.com/radial-dacron-design.html
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> Thanks,
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> Scott Westwood scottwestwood at bellsouth.net H (919)-362-8538    C (919)-618-7185